Planning Practice Wednesday, May 1, 2019 Edition

Planning Assistance in Action

Public Comment Period Now Open for Maryland’s Draft Phase III WIP

Most people living in the Mid-Atlantic region know the Chesapeake Bay as the source of Maryland Blue crabs, oysters and countless opportunities for recreation. However, most people are probably not aware that with a watershed covering more than 64,000 square miles, fed by more than 150 rivers and streams and spanning parts of six states and Washington D.C., the Bay is the largest estuary in North America and one of the most productive bodies of water in the world.

Regional Planner Recognized for her Tireless Work

Back in November of 2018, Planning wrote a newsletter article about the department’s work on the WalkWicomcio project. Tracey Gordy, one of the department’s Regional Planners for the Lower Eastern Shore, spearheaded the department’s role in that effort, and her dedication has been noticed! As part of Wicomico County’s recognition of National Public Health Week (April 1-7), the County Health Department awarded Tracey the 2019 Outstanding Public Health Leader Award.

Resources and Tools

Smart Growth Network Brings Planning Resources and Education Together in One Place

Planning is a proud contributor to the Smart Growth Network (Network). The Network is a partnership of government, business, and civic organizations that support sustainable growth and efficient public investment. The Environmental Protection Agency is one of the founding partners of the Network and funded the Maryland Department of Planning’s work to develop the Smart Growth Information Clearinghouse.

Don’t Forget to Bike to Work on May 17

I bike to the office most work days; cold, hot, and in between. I live in Baltimore. It is about a 20 minute ride down the Maryland Avenue Cycle Track and through some side streets to Planning’s State Center headquarters on Preston Street. I can confirm without hesitation that the days I ride into work are more productive, and that my trips home far more enjoyable than the stop and go of rush hour traffic.

Planning in Progress

The Department will continue to update readers about these exciting efforts as they develop

A Better Maryland Draft Plan Out for Public Comment

Planning has completed a draft of the new state development plan, A Better Maryland. The department would like to thank everyone who provided input, as it helped shape and formulate the draft plan. Our outreach process began in fall 2017 with meetings in all 23 counties and Baltimore City. Each day-long visit included meetings with elected officials, staff and a general public meeting.

MPCA Corner

Regional Workshop a Hit!

The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) conducted its first Regional Workshop at the University of Maryland, Hagerstown on March 29th. Close to 40 citizen and professional planners participated in an event designed to bring key sessions from the annual conference out to planners in Western Maryland.

Save the Date! MPCA Fall Conference scheduled for November 6 and 7 in Aberdeen!

Meet the Planning Staff

Sandy Schrader

Deputy Secretary Sandy Schrader joined the Maryland Department of Planning in January 2019. Sandy and her husband, Dennis, are both originally from Buffalo, New York. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Medaille College and a master’s degree from The State University College at Buffalo. After accompanying Dennis on multiple tours of duty with the U.S. Navy including Sigonella, Sicily, they settled in Howard County, Maryland. Maryland has been their home for over 33 years after living and traveling all over the world.

Planning Practice Wednesday is a service of theMaryland Department of Planning. The Maryland Department of Planning is providing links to training and educational content relevant to planning and growth as a service to its mailing list subscribers. The content and views expressed are not necessarily those of Planning or the State of Maryland.